YOUR CLUB AND MINE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 142, 6 September 1927, Page 5

YOUR CLUB AND MINE

AN OPEN PAGE

Each Tuesday afternoon a corner will be reserved for original contributions of general interest to womenfolk. The subject matter is for you to choose—whatever topic interests you may also be of interest or amusement to others, whether it be about your hobbies, experiences, or merely amusing musings about the ordinary round of the day. A book prize is offered weekly for the best effort, which should be brief, plainly written, and sent to “Your Club and Mine,” THE SUN, Auckland. The prize has been awarded this week to Marie St. Clair, Rotorua, for her article on Dreams. JUST DREAMS I very often wonder what dreams are intended to disclose to us. Are they just little glimpses and memories of incidents in a dead past existence, or glimpses of some future experiences of the dreamer? One thing is quite certain and that is that some dreams are prophetic and have been proved to have come to pass—the incidents having taken place at the place and moment dreamed of even thousands of miles apart. Here is one strange experience of two dearly loved ones of my own, of a young man and his wife who were devotedly fond of each other, and thus their minds were very much in touch with each other. He was a member of the legal profession and his wife was a very beautiful girl. This young lawyer specialised in native work and was a very clever Maori scholar. Having learned the Maori language thoroughly, it was a help to him in conducting his native cases, and his fluency of speech and knowledge of Maori law drew to him many of the old chiefs, and the Maori kings Tawhiao and Mahuta put their affairs into his hands, which necessitated his removal from Wellington to Auckland many years ago. Soon after having settled in Auckland a Native Land Board was fixed at Masterton, at which a big land case was to be heard, so two of the most celebrated chiefs of the tribe wrote asking my young friend to conduct their case for them, as they said they were sure he v/ould be able to prove their titles and win their case. Very reluctantly he bade farewell to his little family and left for Wellington, en route to Masterton, where the court was sitting, hoping sincerely that the case would not be a very long one. After a week’s hard work there and the strain of thinking and speaking all day in the Maori language he was very weary and homesick. Early on the Sunday morning he woke up at about 6 o’clock and decided to walk out to the Maori settlement at Te Ore Ore, a short distance from Masterton, and have a word or two with the old Maori chiefs about their case. On arrival at the pa he found it was all in quietness; everyone seemed to be still asleep. Not wanting to awaken them and seeing the church door ajar he entered, thinking he would rest there awhile. Going up to the organ he seated himself, opened it and wished he might play it so softly as not to disturb the sleeping inhabitants of the pa. Before he realised it he had unconsciously struck the first chords of that lovely old song, “The Lost Chord,” which he and his wife were so fond of, and which she used to sing to him while he played her accompaniment on their little organ at home. He thought sadly how he would love to have had her there at that moment to sing it for him then. The music pealed softly and solemnly through the little empty old church and as the last strains died away he folded his arms on the keyboard and let bis head fall on them, and must have fallen asleep, for he thought he felt a touch on his shoulded and looking up he saw a lovely form standing by his side. He asked: “Who are you?” and she smiled and answered: “You are weary and sad. Come with me.” And taking his hand led him out of the church. Holding fast to his hand they seemed to float up and up into the air above the clouds and swiftly floated away over the Rimutaka Ranges and through space. Almost at once he found himself standing by the foot of his wife’s bed in their own pretty room. She was lying in bed with a sweet smile on her placid features and her little bady on her arm beside her asleep. He turned to his companion and asked: “What does this mean? Tell me, is she dead, that she does not see me or speak to me?” His companion said: “No: that is. only her body asleep that you see. She is alive and well, but you must not touch her. Come!” She led him into the nursery, where his ottier little ones were sleeping peacefully. He longed to fold them in his arms and kiss them, too. But his companion drew him away out < f the house and up again into the sky. Over the sea and hills and valleys, over Rotorua, Lake Taupo, Ruapehu, Ngaruahoe, and again over the Rimutaka Mountains, back again into the little old Maori church at Te Ore Ore. Now she said: “My dear, cheer up. Your dear wife is well and happy, and your children, too. Y'ou will win your case and will soon be with them again.” He turned to her and said: why didn’t she speak to me or look at me,” and she answered: “How could she when she was asleep—look at me.” And he did, and she was his own wife, or her picture, he thought. The woman said: “It was your wife’s body that you saw asleep—she herself it was who took you to see her.” Before he could speak again she was He heard afterwards from his wife that at that very moment she was awakened by her old servant, wno was standing by her bedside with her morning cup of tea. She said: “Ah. Ma’am, you were asleep and I didn’t like to wake vou. for you were smiling—you must have been having a lovely dream.” She had answered: “Yes, Ellen I was dreaming the master was back He said he had won his big case. But be looked so sad and weary.” Ellen said: “Well. Ma’am, that’s a good dream. He is well and will be home soon, you’ll see. And now I must be off to church, or I'll be late.” When our young friend awoke his arms were quite stiff and cramped He looked round and saw an old Maori man peering in at the door. He came in and said: “We heard such lovely music, so I came to see who was playing.” When lie had heard the dream the old chief was very interested and said: “It is a good dream. We will win the case.” MARIE ST. CLAIR.

A JUNIOR POLITICAL LEAGUE (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. Many people will be interested in the effort which is being made in Wellington (and shortly throughout the Dominion) to interest the young people in tho government and politics of their own country, this to be assisted by the formation of a Junior Political Reform and Constitutional League. It is intended to bring as many of the younger sets together as will take an intelligent interest in the things that really matter to themselves and the country they live in. Judging from the response to invitations sent out by the executive of the Reform League for a party to be held (by kind permission of the Prime Minister and Mrs. Coates) at their residence in Tinakori Road, Wellington, on Saturday evening, a very promising beginning is being made in Wellington North. , "Wellington East is already very successfully organised, and pleasant social parties with brief political addresses given at each, have been held. There was a large gathering on Saturday night, guests coming from all parts of the city and suburbs. The large drawingroom was cleared for dancing, which went on most pleasantly to music supplied by various friends, and occasionally by gramophone. Billiards were played, and later supper was served in the dining-room. Community singing was also successfully carried on, the Prime Minister making a capital conductor. During the evening the organiser for tho juniors, Mr. McGhie, explained the

movement. It was to encourage interest in politics, and it was hoped that when the branches were formed that they would manage and control them themselves. Social enjoyment was part of the plan, but a half-hour talk on political matters would be given at each entertainment. The younger people would be brought, in contact with those who were in Parliament, and have opportunity of asking questions and forming opinions. They would prepare themselves for senior work, and take hold intelligently when their time came. Mr. McGhie has come from England, and has taken part in the Junior Reform Branch work there and is well aware of its necessity and value. The Hon. R. A. Wright spoke briefly about Parliament and the work done by every member. The Prime Minister then gave a brief address which was listened to with attentive interest. He said the idea in forming the league was to prepare all young people, of both sexes to become politicians, if they wished, and it became necessary in the future, to educate them ready to help in making laws which would be in the best interests of the people. The British Constitution was the finest in the world, and it would be the work of the future, as in the present, to see it maintained in its integrity. He touched briefly on the horror and confusion in Russia, and the dangers which were around the Empire. Those who lived in the country should guide it, and he appealed to all young people to take a true and educated interest in the politics of their own land. The- only touch of individual politics mentioned was when the speaker said that he was satisfied that none of his colleagues had “an axe to grind,” but each man was anxious to serve his country. Each one could probably do better for himself outside politics, but they were enthusiastic in their work, and meant to do their best for country and Empire, They wished to get, and to keep in touch with the people, for as soon as a Government lost human touch its downfall followed. The league was social as well as political, and he looked to this part to bring many friendships and much happiness to the members. There was very hearty applause given to this speech, and then Mr. Boys, of the East Wellington League called for volunteers for the officials of the Thorndon Branch, and as soon as these were elected it was decided to hold a meeting in the near future when the business matters would be adjusted, and the branch would begin to function. Supper followed, and a few more dances, and a very pleasant meeting terminated with thanks to the host and hostess.